The Local Switzerland

Which European countries have the toughest rules for citizenship in 2026? Many countries across Europe have tightened citizenship rules in recent years, but which have the toughest for gaining citizenship in 2026?

Which European countries have the toughest rules for citizenship in 2026?

How many dual nationals live in Switzerland and where are they all? A fifth of he country’s residents are foreigners who obtained Swiss citizenship while still maintaining the nationality of their place of origin.

How many dual nationals live in Switzerland and where are they all?

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to catch up on this week More Swiss groups speak against the move to cut immigration, and Swiss MPs want to distance themselves from the United States — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.

Six big news stories from Switzerland you need to catch up on this week

Swiss MPs urge Switzerland to distance itself from the United States This week, the National Council adopted a motion calling on Switzerland to reduce its dependence on the United States for security matters, while strengthening cooperation with the EU and other European countries.

Swiss MPs urge Switzerland to distance itself from the United States

Nine events not to be missed during the Easter week in Switzerland From solemn processions to festive markets, Swiss regions abound with special events during the long holiday weekend.

Nine events not to be missed during the Easter week in Switzerland

Swiss police reveal more details of man who started deadly bus blaze The blaze in a Postbus in a Swiss community of Kerzers, in the canton of Fribourg, which killed six people and injured four others, was started by a man police described as ‘disturbed.’ Now more information has emerged about him.

Swiss police reveal more details of man who started deadly bus blaze

Americans in Europe: US finally slashes citizenship renunciation fee Following a long campaign by Americans abroad, the US State Department has finally announced that it will soon slash the high the $2,350 citizenship renunciation fee by 80 percent.

Americans in Europe: US finally slashes citizenship renunciation fee

Teen charged in Switzerland with planning IS-linked terrorist attack Swiss prosecutors said Thursday they had charged an 18-year-old man suspected of planning a knife attack in the name of the Islamic State jihadist group.

Teen charged in Switzerland with planning IS-linked terrorist attack

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of our news on Friday Swiss teen is charged with planning an IS-linked terrorist attack; MPs say Switzerland must move closer to the EU and distance itself from the US; plus other news in our roundup this Friday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of our news on Friday

How much more are drivers in Switzerland now paying for fuel? The cost of fuel at Swiss pumps has risen since the US and Israel launched airtrikes on Iran on February 28th. How will the prices develop in the short term?

How much more are drivers in Switzerland now paying for fuel?

Who is leading the fight in Switzerland against the anti-immigration proposal? As June 14th, the date for the ‘No to 10 million’ referendum is getting closer, more opponents of the initiative are coming forward, warning of the dire consequences this measure would have on Switzerland’s economy.

Who is leading the fight in Switzerland against the anti-immigration proposal?

Do I need to speak a local language to get Switzerland's C Permit? Switzerland has rules for holders of long-term or permanent permits —and for a good reason: language proficiency proves you can live and work in the country with a (relative) ease.

Do I need to speak a local language to get Switzerland's C Permit?

All victims in the deadly bus fire are identified An inferno on a Swiss bus that killed six people was seemingly started by a "disturbed" man on board who set himself alight, the investigating prosecutor said Wednesday

All victims in the deadly bus fire are identified

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of our news on Thursday Victims of the fatal bus fire have been identified; Switzerland to suffer housing shortage long-term; and more news in our Thursday roundup.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of our news on Thursday

How you can get money in Switzerland to repair your old appliances If you are like most people, you probably get rid of your broken appliances and purchase news ones. But, depending on where in Switzerland you live, there is a better way.

How you can get money in Switzerland to repair your old appliances

Switzerland's military exports rise by nearly 50 percent Switzerland's exports of weapons and military equipment rose by 43 percent in 2025, reversing two straight annual falls, according to government figures released Tuesday.

Switzerland's military exports rise by nearly 50 percent

'62 francs for 3km': Taxi drivers in Zurich demand new price caps A curious phenomenon is underway in the Swiss city of Zurich: instead of trying to raise their fares, a group representing taxi drivers wants to see them capped.

'62 francs for 3km': Taxi drivers in Zurich demand new price caps

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of our news on Wednesday Switzerland wouldn't be worse off without the new package of EU agreements, new report says; due to the Iran war, Zurich companies are planning for short-time work; and more news in our roundup on Wednesday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of our news on Wednesday

Bus fire in Switzerland leaves several dead and injured A bus caught fire on Tuesday in a town in Switzerland leaving several people dead and others injured, police said.

Bus fire in Switzerland leaves several dead and injured

How is the war in the Middle East impacting life in Switzerland? The armed conflict in Iran and the Middle East impacts not only the region's population but also, in many ways, countries outside the immediate area of conflict – including Switzerland.

How is the war in the Middle East impacting life in Switzerland?

Why are Geneva residents being paid to give up their cars? A new scheme aims to encourage residents of the Swiss canton of Geneva to give up their cars for a month and use alternative modes of transport instead.

Why are Geneva residents being paid to give up their cars?

Why are Easyjet flights from Basel up to '1,682 percent' more expensive? In Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe, it is known as a ‘budget’ or ‘low-cost’ airline, but travellers booking tickets on easyJet out of Basel’s EuroAirport for April and May are paying exorbitantly high prices.

Why are Easyjet flights from Basel up to '1,682 percent' more expensive?

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday Environmentalists push for airline tax to fund free public transport vouchers; Easyjet flights from Basel airport are now up to 1,682 percent more expensive; and more news in our roundup this Tuesday.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday

Swiss bar fire probe widens to five more local officials Swiss prosecutors on Monday said five more current and former local officials were under criminal investigation over the New Year bar fire in the ski resort of Crans-Montana that killed 41 people.

Swiss bar fire probe widens to five more local officials

Speed cameras and minimum wages: The key results in Swiss canton referendums Aside from the national topics, Swiss citizens also cast their votes on matters of regional importance in the first round of referendums of 2026 including minimum wages and speed cameras.

Speed cameras and minimum wages: The key results in Swiss canton referendums

Swiss vote down proposal for massive 'climate fund' Swiss voters on Sunday rejected a proposal to create a multibillion-dollar climate fund aimed at combating global warming and its consequences, voting against it by a large margin.

Swiss vote down proposal for massive 'climate fund'

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday Swiss voters approve new tax system and cash payments; the government warns of the Iranian terrorist threat in Switzerland; plus other news in our Monday roundup.

Today in Switzerland: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

Swiss eyeing fewer F-35 fighters, reshaping defence set-up Switzerland announced Friday it wanted to buy 30 US F-35A fighter jets rather than 36 after Washington hiked the price, and said its broader defence set-up needed repurposing to face current threats.

Swiss eyeing fewer F-35 fighters, reshaping defence set-up

Which countries in Europe impose language tests for residency permits? Certain countries across Europe demand foreign citizens pass a language test to qualify for certain residency permits. But how does each country compare and what level of language do they require?

Which countries in Europe impose language tests for residency permits?

After Crans-Montana fire, Swiss to ban pyrotechnics in enclosed public spaces Pyrotechnic devices will be banned in all enclosed public spaces across Switzerland from April 1, an interregional body announced Friday, two months after pyrotechnics sparked a deadly bar blaze in the Crans-Montana ski resort.

After Crans-Montana fire, Swiss to ban pyrotechnics in enclosed public spaces